GIS Features in Cube 4.2, 5.0, and Beyond
FDOT Model Task Force
GIS Subcommittee
November 28, 2007
1
Overview




Introducing Cube 4.2
The Cube Geodatabase
Cube 5.0 Beta Results
Status and Future of Cube 5.0
2
Introducing Cube 4.2
 Released 10/2007 at Futura User Conference
 Significant new visualization features:
–
–
–
–
Avenue packet log animation
Export packet log to Google Earth (KML)
Auto _LOS attribute for junction model output display
Synchronized transit/highway link splits
 Major advances in Voyager capability:
–
–
–
–
–
Improved point-to-point tolling via TOLLMATI
Vastly improved Avenue functionality
New DBI (database input) record processor
ESRI geodatabase read/write functionality
CubeGIS roadway network feature class
 Now available for download on website (4.2.1)
3
Introducing the Geodatabase
 Cube 4.2 supports data storage in the ESRI
ArcGIS 9.2 personal geodatabase (.mdb) format
 A geodatabase:
–
–
–
–
Is like a file folder
Provides a place to store and organize data sets
Can be used to relate tables and feature classes to one
another, both spatially and using common attributes
Does not contain any maps or models—just the data for them
 Industry-standard format compatible with
major GIS and database management software
4
The Cube Geodatabase
 Users can import/export:
–
–
–
Shapefiles (point, line, polygon data)
Database tables (dBASE)
Voyager/TP+ transportation networks
 CubeGIS transportation networks:
–
–
–
–
–
Maintain the node-link connectivity relationships required for
transportation planning applications
Allow the user to edit and store link shape vertices for true
shape display and distance updating using shape length
Store node and link attribute tables in two stand-alone
feature classes that can be accessed separately or as a unit
Can be read and written directly by Voyager models
Can be edited in the Cube GIS Window
5
Benefits of Geodatabase Use
 Industry-standard format in used widely by GIS
professionals and organizations
 Provides a common repository for sharing data
used by modeling, forecasting, and GIS staff
 Allows you to leverage existing geographic data
and offer model data as a resource for others
 Develop models incorporating relational
database logic into processing with DBI
 Adopt and refine ready-made schemas and
standard data models for transportation
6
Working Across Organizational
Hierarchies and Divisions
Planning
Finance
Modeling
GIS
Research
7
A Common Transportation
Information Resource
Planning
Modeling
Operations
Research
GDB
8
Relational Database Logic
 Tables and feature classes in a geodatabase can be related by
common attribute fields via DBI joins
–
e.g. FILEI DBI[1]=MyGDB.mdb\Streets, SORT=ID
FILEI DBI[2]=MyGDB.mdb\StreetTypes, SORT=Type_ID, JoinToDBI=1, JoinToFields=Type_ID
FILEI DBI[3]=MyGDB.mdb\CapClass, SORT=Cap_ID, JointoDBI=2, JoinToFields=Cap_ID
ID
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
…
Streets
Name Type_ID
Wood
4
Davidson
7
Mercer
2
Green
3
Oak
1
Main
1
Barrett
1
StreetTypes
Type_ID Lanes
Cap_ID
1
1
2
2
1
4
3
2
1
…
CapClass
Cap_ID Capacity
1
850
2
1100
3
1250
4
1400
5
1800
9
Geo-Processing Functions
 The ArcGIS Engine also provides tools for
querying and relating features by location:
Union
Intersect
Buffer
Clip
10
CubeGIS Data Models
Existing relationships
between data elements in
Voyager travel demand
models translate into
relationships between
objects in the Cube 5
geodatabase.
Users can rely upon this
system of core tables &
geographic features and
extend it with data models
designed for their own
applications.
Note: for discussion only. Not an actual software object model.
11
Cube GIS Components
Display &
Editing
Management &
Manipulation
Network
Window
GIS Window
Catalog
Geodatabase
12
What’s New at Cube 5.0 Beta?
 Geodatabase Manager
–
–
–
–
Create, edit, and manage geodatabase files
Compatible with MS Access 2003, ArcGIS 9.2, and CubeGIS
View, set, and edit extent and spatial reference
Create new feature classes, including CubeGIS networks
 Geodatabase Browser
–
Allows you to link model applications and Voyager scripts to
geodatabase feature classes
 GIS Mapping Window
–
–
–
Display and edit GIS layers within Cube, including point, line,
and polygon feature classes, as well as CubeGIS networks
Support for shapefile, raster, and CAD format data included
Create ArcView-ready map document files with annotation
and map surrounds using the WYSIWYG Layout View
13
Results of Cube 5.0 Beta testing
 Diverse reactions to compromises made in
graphical user interface:
–
–
Cube-centric users: “where are the usual buttons?”
Arc-centric users: “why can’t I rearrange the toolbar?”
 Some issues regarding compatibility with
existing user data sets (existing geo-databases)
 Transit line display and editing features
(originally planned for 5.1) are critical
 Desire for a “richer” data model in the GDB
(e.g. turn penalties, junctions, screenlines)
 Conclusion: continue as an open public beta
and distribute with 4.2 to interested customers
14
Road map: 5.0 and beyond
 Since October:
–
–
–
Fixed installation issues in 4.2.0
Tested and resolved many bugs and crashes
Draft GIS documentation, getting started guide
 End-of-year 2007:
–
–
–
–
Beta release of GIS-based PT display and editing
Beta release of timetabling and schedule import
Cleanup and improvement in GUI experience and user guide
Better handling of existing real-world user data sets
 March 2008:
–
–
Final release with all Cube 4.1 functionality in GIS window
Final documentation and user guides
 Beyond: extensions & usability improvements
15